Friday's high school football game previews

Weekend games (today unless noted) PENINSULA DISTRICT

NORCOM (2-0) VS. HERITAGE (0-1)

WHEN: 5 p.m.

WHERE: Todd Stadium.

THE BUZZ: The Greyhounds are off to a good start behind tailback Anthony Blount, who rushed for 129 yards in last week's 21-3 win over Deep Creek. The Hurricanes, 1-9 last year, lost last week's opener against Denbigh. Norcom has given up only nine points in two games.

THE PICK: Norcom 28, Heritage 14.

— Dave Johnson

GLOUCESTER (0-1, 0-1)

VS. HAMPTON (0-1, 0-1)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Darling Stadium.

THE BUZZ: A tough game got even tougher for the Dukes, who have the unfortunate timing of catching Hampton after last week's loss to Woodside. The Crabbers gave up 422 total yards in their first district-opening loss in 11 years. Gloucester gave up touchdowns on Phoebus' first five possessions.

THE PICK: Hampton 44, Gloucester 6.

— Dave Johnson

DENBIGH (1-0) VS. GRANBY (0-1)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Powhatan Field, Norfolk.

THE BUZZ: The Patriots got off to a nice start last week with a 21-17 win over Heritage behind QB Allen Simon's 233 yards and three TDs. But they'll need more than the 54 yards their running game produced last week. The Comets lost to Great Bridge last week 28-10.

THE PICK: Denbigh 21, Granby 14.

— Dave Johnson

KECOUGHTAN (1-0)

AT LAKE TAYLOR (1-1)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Lake Taylor High, Norfolk.

THE BUZZ: The Warriors looked vastly improved on offense in last week's 16-14 win over Bethel, 15 penalties notwithstanding. But the Titans have a terrific defense, which showed in last week's 45-0 blanking of Indian River. Despite a Week One loss to Battlefield, Lake Taylor is one of the Division 5 favorites.

THE PICK: Lake Taylor 31,

Kecoughtan 17.

— Dave Johnson

MENCHVILLE (0-1) AT WILSON (0-1)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Wilson High, Portsmouth.

THE BUZZ: Half of the Monarchs' six victories since 2006 have come against the Presidents, and they should make it four in a row tonight. QB Henry Boothe completed 25 of 37 passes for 278 yards in last week's loss to Warwick. Wilson lost to Lakeland in its opener.

THE PICK: Menchville 23, Wilson 14.

— Dave Johnson

BAY RIVERS DISTRICT

KING WILLIAM (0-1) AT NEW KENT (2-8 in 2008)

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: New Kent High.

THE BUZZ: These two battled often for Tidewater District supremacy before New Kent moved up to the Bay Rivers earlier this decade. King William boasts a potent pass-catch combo — QB Lewis Redman to WR Daryl Powell — while New Kent's double-wing features talent at the skill positions. It should be close.

THE PICK: New Kent 28,

King William 26.

— Marty O'Brien

GRAFTON (7-3 in 2008)

AT SURRY COUNTY (0-1)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Surry County High.

THE BUZZ: Surry County played last week's opener without University of Richmond-bound QB Montel White and lost 52-6 to Smithfield. White's return would help the Cougars in their second consecutive game against a Bay Rivers opponent, but he won't be enough to overcome Grafton's advantages in talent and depth.

THE PICK: Grafton 28, Surry County 6.

— Marty O'Brien

WARHILL (0-10 in 2008)

AT WINDSOR (1-0)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Windsor High.

THE BUZZ: Windsor QB Lafayette Murphy and RB R.J. Edwards combined for 165 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 28-0 win over Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. But Warhill has a shot at earning the first football victory in program history against the smaller school, particularly if it tackles well, controls the ball and minimizes turnovers.

THE PICK: Warhill 14, Windsor 13.

— Marty O'Brien

BRUNSWICK COUNTY (7-4 in 2008) VS. LAFAYETTE (4-6 in 2008)

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: James City County Stadium.

RADIO: 92.3FM, 107.9FM.

THE BUZZ: Brunswick graduated productive running back Keith Stradford, who scored 15 touchdowns last season, but features size and speed on offense, along with a very good defensive tackle in Torrian Edwards (132 tackles last season). QB Nate Kepa gives Lafayette a serious passing threat, while the defense returns experience at most positions.

THE PICK: Lafayette 20, Brunswick 14.

— Marty O'Brien

JOHN MARSHALL (3-7)

VS. JAMESTOWN (6-4)

WHEN: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

WHERE: James City County Stadium.

THE BUZZ: Jamestown, led by a defensive unit returning nine starters, has an opportunity to get big power points against a Group AAA team that struggled last year. But the Justices from Richmond are experienced, especially on the offensive line — where four seniors average almost 260 pounds — so they won't be a pushover.